Nigerian singer Cruel Santino is putting his indie-pop spin on a Nigerian rap classic as part of the first Nigeria-focused Spotify Singles run. The Alte vanguard covers Omoge Wa Jo by Nigerian rapper Sinzu, formerly known as Sauce Kid, for the Single exclusive to Spotify.
Known to fans of the Alte scene, Cruel Santino first came on the scene with a duo of early mixtapes, building a cult following with tracks like Gangsta Fear. His critically acclaimed debut, Mandy & The Jungle was released in 2019, with tracks like Sparky, Freaky, and Rapid Fire. He’s also built a reputation for edgy visuals inspired by anime, the occult and Nollywood films. Following a 3-year hiatus, he returned in 2022 with the 21-track conceptual album, Subaru Boys: Final Heaven.
Cruel Santino’s constantly evolving music is a genre in itself – drawing from his love of Pop-Indie, Alternative, Rap, Dancehall and Afropop. And, for his Spotify Single, he applies this worldly twist to a smooth Hip-Hop collaboration that cuts across decades.
Originally released in 2006, Omoge Wa Jo is a classic track by Sinzu, who is most known for pushing Rap farther into the Nigerian mainstream with hit tracks like Edondeymadt and Under G. The track also features legendary Nigerian singer, Mike Okri, who is most famous for his 1989 hit, Time na Money.
Speaking about his approach to the cover, Cruel Santino says, “The difference between the original Omoge Wa Jo and mine is that Sinzu’s version is more laid back and chill. Mine is just freeform sprinkled with Santi madness.”
“My favourite part of the original song is the whole song! I spent like two weeks cracking my head on it”, he adds. On the inspiration behind his choice, he continues “When people listen to my version, I want them to be happy that those times were here but sad that they might never get them back again”
To celebrate the legacy of Nigeria’s rich music history, Spotify is unveiling reimagined renditions of what many consider modern-day Nigerian classics, performed by selected artists. Cruel Santino joins RADAR Africa 22 Alumnus, Victony who covered Dami Duro by Davido.
To enjoy Cruel Santino’s take on Omoge Wa Jo and discover more Spotify Singles, music lovers can visit here.
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